Neighbors, I want to send a final reminder for our town hall tomorrow. Please join Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, and our colleague from a neighboring district, Rep. Lucy Rehm and me tomorrow, Saturday, April 15 from 10-11 a.m. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/42JO4ar or on our Facebook pages to receive the event location. I hope to see you there!  The Minnesota House begins to pass budget billsWe began passing our budget bills this week. On Wednesday, the full House passed the Legacy budget bill. The legislation invests resources in outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. These investments are made possible by voters who passed the Legacy Amendment in 2008. House Democrats are investing over $800 million to continue the important work of restoring, enhancing, and protecting Minnesota’s most treasured spaces, while increasing access for all.  The Higher Education budget bill was also passed this week. The measure funds the Office of Higher Ed (OHE), the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState), the University of Minnesota campuses, and the Mayo Clinic Medical School. The budget bill fully funds a tuition freeze at MinnState for two years, addresses the tuition shortfall at the U of M, helps the entire MinnState system address structural deficits, assists all three Tribal colleges with ongoing funds, and invests in the U of M systemwide safety and security. The higher education budget has faced disinvestment over the last ten years, and this budget aims to make up for underfunding. I voted in favor of the bill. Video of all hearings and floor votes are available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel. Democracy for the People Act PassesOn Thursday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved, and I supported, the Democracy for the People Act. The bill seeks to protect and strengthen the freedom to vote, reduce the influence of dark money and corporations in our politics, and ensures our democracy is fair, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of Minnesotans across the state. We want to make sure every Minnesotan has a say in our elections. This bill defends the right to vote and protects election officials and volunteers from harassment and intimidation. It also removes barriers and improves access to the ballot. The measure also reduces the power of corporations and wealthy interests distorting our elections and puts the power back in the hands of Minnesotans.  ----------------------------------------- MedicaidDuring the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, annual renewals for our public health programs – MinnesotaCare and Medicaid – paused. On May 11, the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency is ending and those on MinnesotaCare or Medicaid will need to update their information to determine their ongoing eligibility. If someone is no longer eligible for coverage under Medicaid, they should be able to get low-cost health insurance through the federal and state insurance marketplaces. You can watch a short video here for more information. Stay Connected with the LegislatureThe Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Laurie Pryor State Representative |